, 1887-11-27
and the man suddenly olasped her hand.

S-oDIS~ ~ AAeAAANAD
and pressed his lips to them.
"You are an angel-an angel of mer-
cy! But how-how was it possible for
you to save mel And TO- in the name
of heaven came you here?"
She pointed out the spot where she had
been sitting, and showed him the weap-
on which she had used with such good
effect. And he could only utter broken
words of wonder and gratitude.
"And your wallet she said. 'tlook,
they dropped it yonder among the mus.
tard."
"Ah! they did so. Well, a mans life
is worth more than his possessions, and
yet have risked mine many a time for
the contents of that wallet"
He walked to the spot and brought it
back to where she Stood.
See where the rs,scals cut the strap"
and then he shuddered. "They must
have tracked me all the way from San
Bernardino. 1 saw them lurking round
the inn there, where l stopped on my
way from the mines. Then at each
stopping place. I saw and suspected
them. Last night 1 started out at mid
night. thinking to outwit them. Cross
ing the Sam Antonio, l found the water
very much deeper than 1 expected, got
nearly drowned myself, and spoiled my
revolver. So l was helpless when 1
found Ii 10 wretches on my track again,
about six miles cast of this place. l
was weak, too-weak for want of food,
for / had had no chance to procure any
today. But for you"-he turned to her
again and faltered: 'sEow can 1 ever
thank you? Do you realize from what
you have saved me?"
D. not speak of it," she said, with
an imploring gesture, ait is too horrible
to think of. Come with me. Do you
see that roof yonder? That is my
school house. 1 have some lunch there,
which L forgot to eat today. Let me
give it you"
He followed her without a word, she
stepping lightly along the stony places,
then leading the wa along the narrow
path through the mustard grove, he
walking YEARLY, but never moving his
eyes from the form before him. y
They entered the school house. What
had happened to it since Stella had left
1T? Some strange glamour had surely been
at work.
There was such a bewitching sense of
hospitality in offering her way worn
guest the one chair which the house
toasted! in spreading a napkin on one Of
the rough desks, and placing on it the
bread and fruit, which she had brought
with her in the morning, and even some
milk in a bottle, which Sonora Benito
had, by good fortune, given her.
"Now eat-do eat" she said. 81 will
leave you alone for a little while to
recover"
But he entreated her to stay. He
wanted to ask her some questions. What
was the distance to Los Angeles?
So she sat down on the nearest school
bench, and told him that it was too late
to reach the Puente station that night.
II he could spend the night in the school
house he was heartily welcome. The
people living near were all poor, and
their houses very small. The Benitos
where she boarded would give him
breakfast.
How late it wasl The sun was nearly
down. The Benitos would be wondering
at her non-appearance. She had been
talking to this stranger as she had never
talked to any one before. There was the
wondrous tie of a saved life between
them.
"You nave not asked my name" he
said, as she rose to go; "do o not care
to know the name of the man who is
your debtor for his life?"
II" LII bLlhb L AAlOO4o NV LIdNo
thought Of asking you"
"My name ia Archie Stanley. Yours,
1 see, is Harley, but I would like to
know the name your brother calls you
if 1 mayi"
She looked up at him with the eyes
which quelled and softened her unruly
scholars.
"My namo ia Stella"
'Stella"-hs said softly. ''Stella-a
star"
In the morning Archie Stanley did not
appear at breakfast time at the Benitos'
cottage. Stella was not surprised. She
felt that their farewell had been spoken,
when she left him standing at the school
house door looking after her.
In fact, after q few hours rest, he had
walked in the moonlight to Puents and
taken the train before day break 10 Los
Angeles.
Not many months after that summer
day when the Indians wero defrauded of
a white mans scalp and n wallet of gold,
thec contents Of the wallet were converted
into one Of the most beautiful ranches in
the wide and smiling valley Of San Ga
briel. Orange groves and vineyards,
gray green olives, broad leaved figs were
there, with mellow apricots and luscious
peaches. A stretch Of rich alfalfa for the
meek eyed cowE-a broad lawn of vel
vety blue grass, shaded by lu1uriant
willows and pepper trees, and by a group
of eucalyptus trees, sending their wonder
full growth up and up into the glowing
skies. And in the shadiest spot a fair,
white villa with broad piazzas, up which,
with magical rapidity, climbing roses and
other exquisite creeping plants were al
ready spreading their delicate tracery.
Archie Stanley is the master Of this
beautiful home, and-you have already
rightly guessed that its mistress is Stella.
And Tom, poor Tom, is here likewise,
if not to regain health, at least to pass by
g~entlest stages, and shielded by tenderest
love, to the end Of this life's journey
T. NJ. BROWNE. in Home Chimes.